News

Ford protects drivers from accidental drug trafficking

Drug trafficking is one of the major problems facing the United States, and often innocent drivers become mules without even realizing it. Ford is currently developing a system to help drivers protect themselves from such situations.

Early last year, Ford patented a system that can detect when someone is trying to hide drugs in a car. This system will check if the car has suddenly become heavier, listen for unusual sounds nearby, and even look for unusual GPS signals tracking the car. It will also monitor the driving style in case the car behaves differently when driving due to the extra weight. If it detects that something strange is happening, it will start recording what is happening around the car, which could help the driver as evidence if necessary. Border residents are the biggest victims of smuggling, and this technology could be of great help to them.

The system is still in the development phase and could quickly become the equipment of every Ford model, as it is now cameras, microphones and various sensors that help avoid collisions and warn the driver of fatigue.

Source: Ford

News

Ford started production of Capri SUV in Cologne

A few days ago, Ford officially started production of its all-electric SUV, the Ford Capri, at a German plant. It is the second electric car that will be produced in this plant, and the other one is the Ford Explorer.

This is an important moment for the American manufacturer, which fell into a difficult situation with the too hasty decision to discontinue the production of ICE cars and become a fully electric brand. Now Ford has realized that the return of the ICE car is inevitable. Former head of the brand in Europe Martin Sanders, following the moves of other manufacturers, wanted Ford to take the best possible position in the EV market. However, his focus on Volkswagen was misguided. While the German company kept its strategy of selling ICE cars, Sanders hastened and discontinued the Fiesta and started preparations to do the same with the Focus in 2025. It was the wrong move, and perhaps the Explorer, which records good sales results, and Capri could be the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Capri is 4.63 meters long, is based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform and will be offered in two versions: Standard Range and Extended Range. The Standard Range is equipped with a 52 kWh battery, has rear-wheel drive, and the price starts at 44,950 euros. The Extended Range is equipped with a larger 79 kWh battery, has all-wheel drive and a starting price of 55,950 euros.

The plant in Cologne has a production capacity of up to 250,000 cars per year, and the goal is to increase production to 600 cars per day during two shifts by October.

Source: Ford

EV

Lotus Theory 1 Concept

Lotus has revealed its new Theory 1 electric concept, which heralds the arrival of a new generation of its sports cars. A production version is not planned for release before 2027.

The Lotus Theory 1 is an electric supercar with a three-seat configuration like that of the McLaren F1. It is equipped with a carbon body, butterfly doors and many other carbon components, and the design resembles the S1 Esprit from 1977. It looks slimmer, narrower and more beautiful than the Evija model.

The car also brings a lot of innovations and one of them is Lotuswear, a system of adaptive robotics covered with textiles, which Lotus developed with Motorskins and which can provide haptic feedback to the driver through the seat and steering wheel. The small pods provide pulses to suggest to the driver when to turn, and can also function as buttons. However, there are some things Lotus fans may not like, such as the Steer-by-wire system that allows drivers to adjust the ratio of steering and feel.

Theory 1 is powered by two electric motors with a total power of 1,000 hp (735 kW). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), and has all-wheel drive. It is equipped with a 70 kWh battery that enables a range of 402 kilometers. There are also Pirelli P Zero Elect tires, developed to reduce rolling resistance and increase range by 10 percent.

Source: Lotus

Gallery:

Lotus Theory 1 Concept

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